Early morning is time to wake if I want to hear the Creator speak. Our beings are at rest and may ‘hear’ the stirring of the soul in the deep quiet. It’s not a voice. More like presence. One that does not require physical form.

One who gives me life, also gives me identity. When I spend time ‘being present’ with my Creator, my soul comes alive.

This morning I woke up dreaming about three cute asses. My inclination is to sleep as a refuge from the coarse, chaotic world. An escape from what has been my role in it – as burden bearer with little to no thanks. That can be exhausting.

Kindness is like a balm that heals. It’s a reward and refuge from hardship so that a beast may happily endure her lot.

Difficulty without reward is like continual punishment. When I saw the little asses looking at me (they were peeking at me over the mountain of blankets I take refuge in at night), I wondered whether this was kindness, or some kind of resentful mocking like the horrible Halloween pumpkins I have always hated.

On closer observation, the three asses were happy to see me. They were cute and happy. Like Copper my hen and Lyle, my loyal and loving lion friend. My heart was glad to see their happy selves although what this portended was not clear.

My first inclination was to think God thinks I am an ass. That three donkeys emerge in a dream to tell me this – this must be important.

Three is symbolic of “The Three,” Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I repented of being stubborn, and maybe willful and ornery, that is my perception of asses. What little I know.

ChatGPT gave me a detailed description of donkeys in Biblical and spiritual literature. Symbolic of duty, humility, and sturdiness. I try to be useful. I may also be simple, foolish, and occasionally difficult to manage. But, I believe the message was one of hope.

Three donkeys are here to help me bear the load of my burden. And, I am not in trouble: which happens when my loyalties are misplaced. People do not always appreciate asses as they should.